Now openFirebird Mexican Grill is open for lunch and dinner daily at 7300 Jones Maltsberger across from Quarry Market. Its tagline is "modern cuisine fuses classic regional dishes with contemporary tastes." For more information, go to facebook.com/pages/Firebird-Mexican-Grill/3580903242%83728?ref=stream.

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill is open at 11075 I-10 W., Suite 306. It specializes in fresh, authentic Mediterranean cuisine with a healthy trans-fat-free menu. For more information, go to eatgarbanzo%.com.

Pastel: The Art of Cake is now operating out of Bake, Broil & Brew — a commercial kitchen at 1508 Guadalupe St. Pastel is owned by a brother and sister duo and specializes in sculpted, fondant and butter-cream cakes. A few of its most popular flavors are wedding cake, red velvet, pineapple and more. It offers a variety of fillings and icing flavors as well as custom flavors. For more information, go to pastelsa%.com; to find out more about Bake, Broil & Brew, go to%bakebroilbrew.com.

The Pink Pig is open at 6266 U.S. 290 in Fredericksburg. This café/bakery offers seasonal Southern-inspired favorites from owner/chef Rebecca Rather. Breakfast is available with counter service and lunch and dinner are seated. Reservations are currently being taken for Thanksgiving lunch. For further information, call 830-990-8800 or visit% pinkpigtexas.com.

Lenny's BBQ, Cajun and Southern Cuisine is open at 1224 Talley Road from 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and noon-8:30 p.m. Saturday. For more information, go to %lennysbbq.com.

Jimmy's Egg is open at 8055 West Avenue from 6 a.m.-2 p.m. and offers breakfast and lunch daily. Read more about it at jimmys%egg.com.Whataburger, various locations, has opened a new restaurant at 14543 Brookhollow.

ComingSushishima Japanese Restaurant is opening soon at 1205 N. Loop 1604 W., Suite 230, in the former Ming Court space at the Vineyards.

Open for lunchThe Old Alsatian Steakhouse and Ristorante, 1403 Angelo St. in Castroville, is now open 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. for lunch on Thursday. In addition, it features pasta on Tuesdays. For more information, call 830-931-9191.

On the menu

Gaucho Gourmet, 935 Isom Road, is offering a special on single 2-ounce slices of Grade A Hudson Valley Foie Gras flash frozen, $4.50, while supplies last. It also has fresh foie gras "Torchon" by Hudson Valley, $6.85 per ounce, 2-ounce minimum; fresh foie gras mousse with truffles by Hudson Valley, $4.85 per ounce, 2-ounce minimum; and, a new spicy artichoke salad, $3.65 small and $6.35 large. Warehouse is open to the public 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, until 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.

Carmens de la Calle, 720 E. Mistletoe, is now offering take-and-bake empanadas. You'll receive the empanadas frozen so they can warmed for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a party. Two-dozen minimum order; orders require one-week advance notice, pick-up available 3-11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, not open on holidays. Baking and delivery available. To place your order, call 210-737-8272 or go to carmensdelacalle%.com.

Good CausesPanda Express, various locations, is collecting donations for disaster relief for those affected by Hurricane Sandy now through Nov. 30. It will have in-store drop-boxes allowing guests to make contributions of any amount. Additionally, Panda Restaurant Group Inc. will match 100 percent of the proceeds, with all donations benefiting the American Red Cross. For more information, go to redcross.org or %pandaexpress.com.